Star Trek 335: The Search, Part II

335. The Search, Part II

FORMULA: Past Imperfect + Sins of the Father + The Game + Profit and Loss

WHY WE LIKE IT: Even a fake Garak is a fun Garak.

WHY WE DON'T: An imaginary story?! Aw, Ma!!!

REVIEW: Part II of The Search is severely hampered by the find being an imaginary story. It's interesting to see what the Dominion's plans for the Alpha Quadrant initially were, like excluding the Romulans, "protecting the Wormhole" and buying our friendship with their "protection racket". But the shaggy dog story has to turn into one of those "what if" stories where a line is crossed that can't be uncrossed when even the fresh viewer realizes it's all been spectacle. It eats up half the episode and we only learn that if push comes to shove, the DS9 heroes are gonna blow everything up. We probably knew that.

The other focus of The Search is the introduction of Odo's people (and their disappointing garden that looks a lot like train set shrubbery - though that monolith makes a comeback). A lot of stuff gets introduced here, like their calling us "solids", the frustratingly zen explanations of the Great Link, the 100 sent out to explore the galaxy, "no changeling has ever harmed another", and gross changeling sex. It's with mixed emotions that I watch this episode. On the one hand, you want to be with Odo, happy for him, but at the same time, you want to hate the Founder Leader for what she will become. I'm afraid the hate won.

See, I really liked Odo in the first two seasons, but whenever the changelings are involved, he gets into these weirdly at peace trances which remind me either of cult brainwashing or being high on drugs. It creeps me out. The link seems to have a narcotic effect I really can't get behind. Of course, Odo will have to turn his back on his people, and I do like how he talks about his own personal "link" and his own concept of order (i.e. justice).

LESSON: Nechayev is a jerk in any reality, real or imagined.

REWATCHABILITY - Medium: When the climax revolves around waking up and being told your ship is fine and in orbit, you've missed the mark, I think. Still an important episode for understanding Dominion dynamics and how Odo fits in the master plan.